Description

Tenure-track Assistant Professor - AI for Automotive and Mobility Systems
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio

Department:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (https://mae.osu.edu/) at The Ohio State University in Columbus OH, invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor appointment in artificial intelligence (AI) for ground transportation and mobility systems, with an emphasis on automotive applications. This position will start as early as Fall 2027.

Position Overview  
This regular, full-time faculty position will support research and education in the development and application of AI for ground transportation and mobility systems, with particular emphasis on automotive applications. There is a strong university-wide focus at The Ohio State University on AI and machine learning (ML), and this position is intended to advance the integration of AI/ML across existing, emerging and future mobility technologies, including automotive and transportation systems, propulsion, automation, and intelligent, resilient, safe and human-centric infrastructure. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research integrates AI/ML with strong foundations in areas such as control, optimization, dynamical systems, decision-making, design or related methodological fields to address emerging challenges in mobility. Successful candidates should demonstrate the potential to make impactful contributions to one or more areas within this broad theme. AI/ML should constitute a central component of the candidate’s current and proposed research program, through the development of novel AI methods and/or their innovative application to transportation and mobility systems.

The successful candidate is expected to establish a strong externally funded research program, contribute to both undergraduate and graduate teaching, and support the continued success of the Mechanical Engineering program. Furthermore, they will strengthen the department's expertise at the intersection of AI and transportation while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across mechanical engineering, automation, robotics, controls, and intelligent systems.

AI at The OhioState University
AI is reshaping education and research, and Ohio State is at the forefront of this transformation, unlocking exponential possibilities when AI is fused with different fields. The University is committed to excellence in artificial intelligence and advancing the University’s role as a national and global leader in AI-driven discovery, education, and societal impact. In support of this commitment, Ohio State will hire 100 new tenure-track faculty withexpertisein artificial intelligence (AI) over five years to drive innovation and create a central hub, theAI(X)Hub, to provide resources and foster collaboration.

This university-wide hub will span 15 colleges and unlock the exponential possibilities thatemergewhen AI is fused withexpertiseacross six strategic pillars (X): foundations, health, engineering and sciences, agriculture, cybersecurity, and trustworthy AI. The AI(X)Hub will cultivate aninnovationecosystem where cross-disciplinary synergies fuel breakthroughs with profound societal impactby:  

• Creatinga dynamic intellectual hub to harnessOhio State’svastexpertisewhere AI scientists and domain experts across the University can collaborate to accelerate groundbreaking research and transformative innovation 

• Advancingfundamental AI research to push the boundaries of AI 

• Establishinga collaborative hub that unites researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders 

• Developingcutting-edgeAI products that reach billions and drive meaningful change 

• Deliveringsolutions to the world’s most pressing challenges 

• Empoweringthe next generation of AI leaders through accessible AI education, mentorship, and skill development for all Ohio State learners 

To support the AI Faculty Initiative at Ohio State, three AI Faculty Cohorts have been created: FoundationalAI,Applied AI and ResponsibleAIand Cybersecurity.The Foundational AI Cohort will primarily focus on elevating the theoretical,mathematical,and algorithmic underpinnings of AI.The Applied AI Cohort will primarily focus on harnessing AI to revolutionize the translation of ideas to real-world solutions for Ohio and beyond.TheResponsible AI and Cybersecurity Cohort will primarily focus on ensuring ethical innovation and safeguarding digital landscapes for a secure future.

Performance Objectives  
The successful candidate for this tenure-track assistant professor position will: 

• Contribute to existing and future research activities in the Mechanical Engineering program, and develop and maintain a nationally and internationally recognized and externally funded research program in their technical field, 

• Collaborate with faculty associated with other University and College of Engineering (COE) departments (including the departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, and/or Industrial and Systems Engineering) and existing COE research centers (including the Center for Automotive Research), 

• Teach and mentor students at both the undergraduate and graduate level, and supervise student research  

• Participate in service to the University and the national and international research community. 

Education and Experience Requirements
Ideal candidates willdemonstratesignificant AIexpertiseas a core element of their scholarship whether through the creation of new AI methods or novel use of AI techniques that materially advance knowledge, methods, or practice in their discipline.

For this position search, “AI” includes (but is not limited to) Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Optimization for/with ML, Probabilistic Modeling, Trustworthy/responsible AI (fairness, safety, privacy, robustness, interpretability), Human-centered AI, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Robotics, Scientific/Physics-informed Machine Learning (ML), AI Systems and Infrastructure, and Domain-driven AI advancements in and across disciplines.   

In addition to the disciplinary requirements for potential selection as a faculty member, a qualified candidate will develop, advance, or rigorously evaluate AI methods, lead AI-centered applications that produce generalizable methodological advances (for example, new algorithms, models, evaluation frameworks, datasets, benchmarks, or system designs), design or adapt AI approaches to solve previously intractable questions in a particular domain leading togeneralizableinsights advancements. 

Routine use of off-the-shelf AI tools thatdoesnot producemethodological innovation, orfield-advancing knowledgeis not sufficient for an AI facultyhirefor this initiative

Qualifications 

• Applicants must have earned (or be expected to receive) a doctorate degree by May 2027 in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering or science discipline. 

• Applicants must conduct research with the potential for scholarly impact, innovation, and collaboration. 

• Applicants must have demonstrated evidence of research productivity and the potential for identifying and securing external funding. 

• Applicants must have the ability to teach and supervise undergraduate and graduate students and embrace the development of open-minded exploration among learners. 

• Applicants must have leadership skills and the ability for collaboration in an academic environment, and the potential to be a conscientious University community member. 

• Applicants must have excellent interpersonal communication skills with the desire and ability to work constructively, decisively, and collegially with internal and external colleagues and interdisciplinary teams across the College and University. 

• Applicants must have the ability and initiative to work independently and be a proactive self-starter with strong project leadership skills. 

• Applicants must display innovative thinking, be open to sharing ideas, and be willing to continuously learn.  

• Applicants must have demonstrated efforts in research, teaching, and outreach and engagement that reflect Ohio State’s Shared Values. 

Additional Information
The final offer for this full-time, in-person position will be determined based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity considerations. Salary and start-up packages are negotiated by the department chair and may vary depending on individual circumstances. Immigration or visa sponsorship may be available in limited situations.

Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package.

For questions regarding this position, please contact Dr. Chris Atkinson of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at atkinson.284@osu.edu.

Application Review  
Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2026. 
https://apply.interfolio.com/192392

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.